Paige practically floated on the happy vibes while she waited for the event to start. It made her smile every time she thought of Jayne staying at the main house, having that extra time with Jack and Cora.
Then the three of them walked in and her heart swelled with joy. This was right. It was their first night as a family of four. Cora and Jayne were stunning in their jewel-toned dresses and boasted smiles of delight as they took in the decorations. Jack’s surprise over being the guest of honor was genuine when he saw the ‘happy retirement’ banners, and no small feat considering the grief and drama of recent days.
Cocktails and appetizers went by in a blink as they greeted the guests. Her two aunts and their husbands arrived, surprising Jack all over again. Paige’s heart soared. Her aunts fawned all over Jayne, welcoming her to the family and Paige caught the murmurs as several guests assumed her twin was actually a cousin.
When the doors opened for dinner, butterflies were flying in formation through her belly. Everything was in place as her family took their seats at the head table. The four of them were flanked by Carter, Gloria and her husband, and the aunts with their husbands.
Guests found their places at the round tables in the banquet room and conversation continued buzzing as the meal was served. The food was exquisite, though Paige was so nervous about her speech that she could barely enjoy more than a taste of each dish. Looking out at the room, it was clear everyone was savoring the She Crab Soup, winter greens salad, and the main course of Melissa’s signature lightly sauced pasta topped with either seasoned shrimp or chicken.
“You knocked this out of the park,” Carter murmured at her ear. “Well done.”
She appreciated his unwavering support and as soon as the hard part was done, she planned to tell him just what he meant to her. He’d become so much more in such a short time. She loved him. Not because he’d saved her life or brought Melissa’s killer to justice. Carter’s integrity and kindness were in perfect harmony. He was a man who knew when and how to step up in the face of a crisis. He was the man she loved.
“Here goes.” She pulled her notes from under her plate and pushed back from the table. As she walked to the podium at the head table, her gaze landed lightly on Carter once more. His encouragement was subtle, likely imperceptible to anyone else in the room. But it was enough to bolster her courage, a gentle reminder that she’d chosen to be part of a miracle here tonight.
The secrets about her birth could’ve torn her family apart, instead they had a chance to be stronger now. Finding her sister only to cut her father out for his mistakes was senseless. A choice like that would’ve crushed her and likely taken Jayne and Cora down with her. Bitterness would only compound the mess Yost and Yvette had set in motion.
That wasn’t the legacy she wanted for anyone in the family. She touched her mother’s shoulder as she passed by, pleased to see Cora so happy and content in the moment. The best part was knowing her delight wasn’t a byproduct of any medication. It was pure pride in her husband’s achievement. Whatever had passed between them after Jack first introduced Jayne to Cora, her mother seemed increasingly all right with having a new daughter to dote on.
Paige had reworked her notes about half an hour ago, shocked and thrilled that she could remove the excuses for her mother’s absence that she’d written in last night as a precaution. She gave the standard remarks, thanking everyone for coming out to help them celebrate, followed by a few of her dad’s personal and professional highlights through thirty years of a great career. With a quick glance to Carter for a boost of confidence, she finished with heartfelt gratitude to Melissa’s team for coming through so beautifully despite their loss.
On that cue, the curtains over the screen parted and a memory video began. The guests at each of the tables watched the presentation with obvious amusement. The laughter made her happy, but it was the affection in her father’s eyes when he looked her way, the appreciation for what she’d done, that made her feel hope for what their relationship could become.
She might not have said it aloud, but she’d already forgiven him. The bottom line was she loved him, flaws and all. He was her daddy, and though he had made a dreadful mistake, his brief infidelity had resulted in an extraordinary family. A family that was finally whole.
On the other side of Cora, Jayne appeared captivated by the video, her smile wide and bright, as if she could soak up all those moments she’d missed.
Paige had heard the murmurs as the guests arrived. Small little shocks as people noticed the inevitable: Jack and his wife and his daughter were the expected sight at the head table. The second woman, identical to Paige was the surprise. It shot through the room as quick as lightning that Jack and Cora had just discovered their second daughter, Paige’s identical twin.
She was sure Jayne had no idea what the coming days and weeks would hold. Society could be a bear, but Paige was eager to help Jayne get acclimated. She anticipated lots of late-night laughter and coaching her sister through challenging moments as she embraced a fresh start as part of the Coker family.
Naturally, those challenges would be mitigated, thanks to maturity and perspective. They weren’t little girls; they were adults. And no one would be foolish enough to truly butt heads with Jack and Cora Coker.
No more questions or secrets. They were a family of four now—if Jayne so chose—and that was the last word on the subject.
When the video presentation ended, Paige returned to the podium. She urged everyone to sign the guest book and enjoy the various scrapbooks stationed around the room. She also announced the opening of the silent auction, explaining that all proceeds would go to the local food bank and the children’s holiday gift drive, two charities her parents were most passionate about.
Then she invited her father to speak to a round of applause that emphasized the positive impact he’d had on the people around him throughout his career.
No one in this room was perfect, she thought as she returned to her seat beside Carter. There wasn’t a single perfect person in the world, thank goodness. She slipped her hand into Carter’s under the table, the tension in her shoulders easing at last. Her part was done. She’d pulled it off and gotten her answers with Carter’s help.
Listening to her father’s remarks, she glanced to the other end of the head table and caught Gloria’s eye, giving her a thumb’s up. She’d done an amazing job with the final details while Paige had been consumed with the investigation and search for justice. Gloria might not know all the gory details, but she had a good grip on who Jack Coker was and what he meant to the firm, the community, and his family.
When Jack finished speaking, ending with a warm thanks to Gloria and Paige for this surprise party, the applause turned into an ovation. A slideshow began on the big screen in the corner. It would cycle through, serving as a backdrop for the rest of the evening.
Music started and voices lifted as conversations picked up around the room. The energy was lovely and upbeat and exactly what her family needed after the last harrowing days.
“Can I have a word, sweetheart?” her dad asked.
“Of course, Dad.”
Carter quickly vacated his seat and offered it to Jack.
A prickle of unease rushed over her skin as Carter walked away. But she didn’t need to be afraid of a conversation. Her father wouldn’t make a scene. He was an expert at glossing over mistakes whenever and wherever they occurred. Whether it was her mother’s weak moments, Paige’s blunders during cotillion season, or his own lost daughter, he was a picture of stoic grace.